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NAL distribution script run in system context

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Symptom

Primus

NAL runs the distribution script in the system context instead of the user context (as is the case with the launch scripts)

On a Windows NT workstation, when distributing an application for which a distribution script (pre or post distribution script) as been configured, the distribution scripts are run in the system context, not the user context. On the other hand, the launch script (pre-launch or post-termination scripts) are always executed in the user context, not the system context. The fact that the distribution scripts are executed in a system context rather than a user context has the following consequences :

1. The user can't see any applications started from the distribution script. In addition to that, if the application needs user input, the script will essentially hang.
2. The script (and any application started from it) cannot access the user's network drives. It can only really access the network via UNC paths and even then it can only 'see' what the Workstation object has trustee rights to (on Netware servers).

If you stop the Application Launcher service (from the Control Panel / Services), then the distribution scripts will be executed in the user context, not in the system context anymore.

Keywords: ZFD2, ZENworks 2.0, ZENworks for Desktops 2

Solutions

This is working as designed. The distribution script has to run in the system context in order to be able to update files, even when the user does not have administrative rights to his NT workstation.

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